A drunk driver who wrecked a man's life in a road smash has been warned he could go to prison.

Gary Parkin was almost twice the legal limit when he crashed through a central reservation and hit Patrick Wallace's car head-on.

Mr Wallace, a road worker, had to spend a month lying on his back in the city's General Hospital hoping his smashed-up pelvis and legs would heal following the crash on July 29.

He has been told by doctors he may never work again and will have to have a year of physiotherapy before he can walk again.

Reg Beveridge, chairman of Blaydon magistrates, has warned Parkin he is facing jail.

Mr Beveridge said: "We find that this was reckless, with intent.

"We can find no mitigating factors and we have to now consider a custodial sentence."

Parkin will be sentenced by Gateshead magistrates on December 8. Mr Wallace, 56, said at his home in Byker, Newcastle: "I'm pleased the magistrates are looking at a custodial sentence.

"He deserves to go to prison for what he did. He ruined my life and that of my partner Pat Castle. It's a life sentence for us."

At an earlier hearing, Parkin, 29, of Wear Street, Chopwell, Gateshead, admitted drink-driving, careless driving and driving without a licence and without insurance.

Alison Howie, prosecuting, said the accident happened at 5.30am as cars came down a slip road to join the dual carriageway at Chainbridge Road, Gateshead.

When one of the vehicles started moving into the same lane, Parkin, driving a Vauxhall Corsa, was trying to overtake on the nearside when he lost control.

Firefighters had to cut Mr Wallace free from the mangled wreckage of his Renault Clio.

He had suffered a smashed knee, a fractured pelvis, dislocated hip, whiplash injuries and bruising to the lower body.

Parkin's roadside breath-test was positive and a later examination at Gateshead police station showed 65mg in 100ml of breath - well above the legal limit of 35.

His solicitor Brian Hegarty said Parkin was due to get a lift to work but his colleague had not shown up and he decided to take his girlfriend's car.

Mr Hegarty said: "The accident happened when he was in the outside lane and cars from the slip road moved into the same lane.

"He had to take evasive action and was forced to try and overtake one of the cars on the nearside. He had no other choice.

"He has expressed his deep regret and sympathy to Mr Wallace. If only he could turn the clock back, he would do so."

Parkin, he said, disputed witnesses statements that he was driving at 80mph and estimated his speed at 70mph.

At the previous hearing the magistrates decided they wanted to hear evidence from witnesses about the speed of Parkin's car before sentencing but the prosecution and defence solicitors agreed to proceed without the witnesses.